Egg laying behavior

[chickens really]

Thanks! You are right; no more on the floor. They are laying in the nesting boxes now.

...Glad it all worked out..

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Thanks! You are right, she came out again for awhile and no egg; then went back in a little later and laid and egg. I guess I'm a nervous ninny as a new chicky mom!

Make sure they have oyster shell available.

 

[chickens really]

Oyster shell helps but the bird draws calcium from their bones and too much oyster shell the first year actually can cause production issues if fed layer feed too. Definitely a science and a balanced way of providing it needs to be figured out. I feed my young Hens Grower finisher feed at all times and once I see thick shells I supply it one a week or every two weeks..

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Oyster shell helps but the bird draws calcium from their bones and too much oyster shell the first year actually can cause production issues if fed layer feed too. Definitely a science and a balanced way of providing it needs to be figured out. I feed my young Hens Grower finisher feed at all times and once I see thick shells I supply it one a week or every two weeks..

I was under the impression that they just consumed what their bodies needed?

 

[Rommy]

Oyster shell helps but the bird draws calcium from their bones and too much oyster shell the first year actually can cause production issues if fed layer feed too. Definitely a science and a balanced way of providing it needs to be figured out. I feed my young Hens Grower finisher feed at all times and once I see thick shells I supply it one a week or every two weeks..

Thanks for the input, I noticed when cracking the eggs for cooking the shell seems a little thick and tough. I will pull the oyster supplement out of the feed area for now.

 

[Rommy]

Hoping you ladies and gents see this post. Went out this morning to check on the girls and only one egg in the nesting box whereas two hens have been consistently laying. Found the 2nd egg in the dirt in the run just outside the coop. I know hens may lay in odd places but didn't know it would be in such an open spot and any ideas why she stopped using the nesting box; now mind ya I am just assuming it's the same two hens and not a new one laying... any ideas??? Thanks!

 

[chickens really]

Either it's a new layer or the nest box she likes was being used when she wanted to lay..

 

[Cluckingitup]

I was under the impression that they just consumed what their bodies needed?

I also thought they ate what was needed. I have oyster shell available all the time as I am feeding All Flock due to a rooster in the mix. And made sure it was full due to a hen having a prolapse and read extra calcium was recommended.

Also @Rommy one of mine when beginning to lay would lay while on the roost, the nesting boxes, and the driveway! She finally figured it out.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

I also thought they ate what was needed. I have oyster shell available all the time as I am feeding All Flock due to a rooster in the mix. And made sure it was full due to a hen having a prolapse and read extra calcium was recommended.

Also @Rommy one of mine when beginning to lay would lay while on the roost, the nesting boxes, and the driveway! She finally figured it out.

Well, I have two baby chicks that are in with my seven grown hens and I have seen them picking at the oyster shell or when I crushed up the egg shell and hopefully it won’t make the little chicks sick. I don’t know why they are picking out that stuff.My big girls need it, so I have to put it out

 

[chickens really]

Well, I have two baby chicks that are in with my seven grown hens and I have seen them picking at the oyster shell or when I crushed up the egg shell and hopefully it won’t make the little chicks sick. I don’t know why they are picking out that stuff.My big girls need it, so I have to put it out

Probably not consuming enough to hurt them but just learning and trying what the big birds are eating..